EMC Connectrix DS-32M2, User Manual

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1
Hardware Features 1-11
Switch Operating Features
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Concurrent firmware upgrade — The CTP subsystem provides
two nonvolatile memory regions. Because two firmware versions
can be stored in the CTP, firmware can be upgraded and activated
without disrupting switch operation.
Connectivity
Features The DS-32M2 and the Product Manager applications support these
Fibre Channel connectivity features:
◆
Extended distance support
— Through repeaters or Dense Wave
Division Multiplexing (DWDM) equipment, any switch port can
be configured for extended-distance operation. When the
extended distance option is enabled, the port can support up to 60
buffer-to-buffer credits (BB_Credits), to handle link distances up
to 100 km.
◆
Port blocking — System administrators can block or unblock any
switch port through the Product Manager application. Blocking a
port prevents an attached device from logging in to the switch or
communicating with any attached device. A blocked port
continuously transmits an offline sequence (OLS).
◆
Zoning — System administrators can partition attached devices
into restricted-access zones. A zone contains a set of devices that
can access each other. A zone member can be a port or the WWN of
the device attached to a port. (EMC recommends that zones
contain only WWNs.) Ports and devices spread throughout
switches in a multiswitch fabric can be grouped into the same
zone.
Members of a zone can see each other, but members in different
zones cannot. HBAs with EMC-approved device drivers will
discover only those storage devices in their zone.
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State change notification — The DS-32M2 supports a state
change notification function that allows attached N_Ports to
request notification when other N_Ports change operational state.